Son Charged With Murdering His Parents In Capel

A man has been charged for the murders of his parents in their Capel home in Western Australia's southwest. 

Police were called to the Berkshire Street home on Friday morning to discover the bodies of Colin, 75 and Bernice Dent, 74. Their son, Robert George Dent, 47, was arrested at the scene and taken to Bunbury Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

The small southwest community has been left in shock following the murders. The victims, Colin, 75 and Bernice Dent, 74 were well-liked, active members of the community. Friends have been paying tribute to the couple. 

The horrifying incident comes three weeks after the murder of father-of-three Tony Ditri in the nearby town of Pemberton. Local farmer, John Della Franca was charged with his murder. 

'We have just dealt with another community in the South West that had a homicide investigation and that community is reeling. Capel will be reeling from this. People would have seen activity today from what's occurring and now hearing what's occurred...It is going to affect the community without a doubt."

- South West District Superintendent Geoff Stewart

The couple’s son faced Perth Magistrates Court via video link from Bunbury yesterday. He was silent throughout the hearing, showing little emotion and making a slight nod in response to being asked if he could hear the proceedings. His application for bail was rejected and he will be due back in court on Wednesday, September 29. 

Get the latest breaking news from SCA newsrooms around Australia. Short, simple and everything you need to know.